I. Curricular Framework

Concept:

Appreciation

Essential Question:

Why do we appreciate “being home”?

Bridge:

“Being Content” Visual

Content:

"Hey, Al" by Arthur Yorinks

Outcomes:

II. Standards Aligned

III. Instruction and Assessment

1. Connect: Connecting to the Concept Experientially

Objective: To have the children examine some of the things in their lives they appreciate.

Activity: Ask the children to create a list of five things they have that they appreciate. (Only things, not people.)

Assessment: Completion of the list.

2. Attend: Attending to the Connection

Objective: To have the children examine their ideas on the things that make us happy.

Activity: Have the children create a list of the things that make them happy. Have them examine the list for any common characteristics. Introduce the word “contentment”. Ask the children if they had more things would they necessarily be more contented. Accept whatever answer they give.

Assessment: The discussion concerning what makes us contented. Are the children questioning what makes people happy

Assessment, Phase One, Level of Engagement, Fascination:

3. Image: Creating a Mental Picture

Objective: To have the children create a visual of what it means to be contented.

Activity: Have the children finish this sentence with a picture. To be contented is like…

Assessment: Evidence that they understand the concept of contentment

Assessment, Phase Two, Seeing the Big Picture:

4. Inform: Receiving Facts & Knowledge

Objective: To understand and enjoy the book.

Activity: Read the story Hey, Al..

Assessment: Attentiveness and understanding on the part of the children

Assessment, Phase Three, Success with Acquiring Knowledge:

5. Practice: Developing Skills

Objective: To elicit from the children the pertinent details of the story.

Activity: Have the children go back into the book and list how Al and Eddie’s bodies started to change. Then have them examine Al and Eddie’s room before they left and after they came back – at the beginning of the story and at the end of the story.

Assessment: Accuracy of the details

Assessment, Phase Four, Success with Acquiring Skills:

6. Extend: Extending Learning to the Outside World

Objective: To have the children visualize their own place of contentment.

Activity: Have the children draw a picture of the place where they are most contented. Tell them to put in a lot of details.

Assessment: The quality of the picture, details, tone of warmth, sense of comfort

7. Refine: Refining the Extension

Objective: To have the children actualize their appreciation for the things they have.

Activity: Have the children write a thank you note to their parents or guardians for the things they have that make them contented and comfortable.

Assessment: Completion of the task, sincerity of the writing and presentation of the note.

8. Perform: Creative Manifestation of Material Learned

Objective: To have the children express their thanks.

Activity: Have the children deliver their thank you notes.

Assessment: Completion and the children’s enjoyment.

Assessment, Phase Five,Performance, Creative Use of Material Learned: